Sacramento Invests in Local Business Growth
Sacramento is expanding its economic footprint through a series of city-supported initiatives aimed at local entrepreneurs and students. The city’s Economic Development Department recently distributed $1 million in innovation grants to 17 organizations. These funds provide training and technical assistance for business owners across the region. Development Project Manager Aubree J. Taylor noted that these programs help entrepreneurs at every stage of their professional development.
Youth and Small Business Programs
High school students have a clear path to develop their professional skills through the Atlas entrepreneurship program. This Growth Factory Nonprofit initiative teaches design thinking and problem-solving to students in grades nine through 12. Sessions run from September 15 through December 15 at Connect Labs at Aggie Square. Students who finish the course receive a $200 stipend for their time. Applications for this program close on September 7.
For established business owners, the Build Up Sacramento accelerator offers a roadmap for long-term survival. The program targets owners of microenterprises and small businesses with at least one year of operation. It focuses on customer acquisition and internal process refinement. The city intends for this cohort of 20 businesses to serve as a bellwether for local economic stability. Interested owners must submit their applications by November 30.
Expert Guidance and Technical Training
Entrepreneurs seeking immediate advice can access free office hours hosted by Growth Factory Nonprofit. Experts meet with business owners every other Tuesday from noon to 3 p.m. at Connect Labs at Aggie Square. These sessions cover core business pillars including hiring, product development, and capital acquisition. The open-door format allows for quick, specific troubleshooting for local startups.
Academic researchers have a separate track through the ALTITUT SBIR Studio. This program bridges the gap between laboratory discovery and commercial viability. It offers seed funding and guidance on business modeling to graduate students and faculty members. The application deadline for this studio is September 7. It remains a primary vehicle for transforming university research into functional local companies.
Modernizing Operations with Artificial Intelligence
Practical application of new tools is the focus of the From Zero to AI workshop series. Managed by the Alliance for Community Development, these sessions help nonprofits and small businesses integrate technology into their daily operations. The September 9 workshop centers on competitive analysis and identifying market gaps. Participants can join these sessions in person at Sage + Silver Studios or through a virtual link.
These collective efforts form the backbone of the city’s ScaleUp Sacramento strategy. This initiative aims to increase access to resources for historically underserved groups. The program originated in 2016 as RAILS and has since evolved into a core part of the city’s economic planning. Residents should track these upcoming deadlines to ensure they secure spots in these funded cohorts.